The Centre has recognised Odisha as a ‘Champion State’ for recording the highest growth in exports during 2016-17, official sources said.

This was announced during a review meeting of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the export performance of states and formulation of strategy attended by L N Gupta, MSME Additional Chief Secretary, Odisha.

The exports from the state have increased from Rs 19,082 crore in 2015-16 to Rs 40,872 crore in 2016-17 with merchandise exports from Odisha registering the highest growth rate of 114 per cent among all the states, Gupta said.

Between 2012-13 and 2016-17, in terms of USD, shipments from the state witnessed a positive growth of 17.60 per cent against the negative growth of 2.07 per cent in overall exports of India, he said.

During the same period, in terms of Rupee, a positive growth of 23.84 per cent was recorded by exports from Odisha against a positive growth of 3.18 per cent in overall exports of India.

Growth of exports has direct positive impact on enhancement of employment and livelihood opportunity, Gupta said. The major sectors of exports in Odisha are aluminum, products of aluminum, iron ore, processed minerals, iron, steel, marine products, residual chemical and allied products, textiles and IT and ITES.